Fresolo, Matthews indicted in violent drug holdup

WORCESTER — A grand jury has returned indictments against two people in a drug-related shooting and robbery last month on Greenwood Street.

A Worcester County grand jury returned indictments Wednesday charging Francesca Fresolo and Deondre O. Matthews with armed assault with intent to murder, armed robbery, aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and firearm violations in connection with what investigators said was the July 14 shooting and holdup in a parking lot behind the American Legion post at 180 Greenwood St.

Prosecutors allege that Ms. Fresolo, the 21-year-old daughter of former Worcester state Rep. John P. Fresolo, enlisted Mr. Matthews' aid in robbing Michael Tisdell of a pound of marijuana, after arranging to buy the drugs from him for $2,900. Mr. Matthews allegedly struck Mr. Tisdell in the face with a firearm and shot him twice in the groin area during the robbery.

Their cases will be moved to Worcester Superior Court as a result of the indictments.

Ms. Fresolo allegedly admitted to police that she set Mr. Tisdell up to be robbed, but told investigators she did not intend for anyone to be hurt.

Prosecutors said a GPS device worn by Mr. Matthews as a condition of his release on bail in an unrelated firearm case placed him at the shooting scene. Investigators said the attack on Mr. Tisdell was captured on surveillance video footage retrieved from the American Legion post.